Chapter 129: The Blood Assassins of the Ma Clan (2)

‘The principle of martial arts, generally speaking, is simple.’

Strike faster, strike stronger, and strike first.

To make that happen, countless martial artists wield their weapons, study sword forms, and hone their internal cultivation techniques day after day.

“Overwhelm him! Even if we just take out one of his limbs, we have a chance!”

Toward the wave of blood-robed men rushing in—

The tip of my sword danced.

Scarlet blades surrounding me came all at once, trying to pierce my body.

But not a single one of them touched me.

Clang-clang-clang!

“Don’t fall back!”

“Block the retreat and stab him all at once!”

“Even if you die, take at least an arm or a leg with you!”

The group blocking my path, known as the Blood Flow Sword Squad, were truly bloodthirsty killers.

Each of them, with their swordsmanship alone, could probably sculpt stone with intricate detail.

They could behead an average person before they even realized what was happening.

And above all, the fanatical way they stepped over their own comrades’ corpses to close in—just witnessing it was enough to chill even the nerves of seasoned experts.

But even such men—

They couldn’t instill fear in someone like me, who had survived countless battlefields.

“Aaaargh!”

They couldn’t shake the composure of someone who had stood face-to-face with a god.

At least in matters of combat, my mind harbored but one thought.

To kill the enemy.

All other thoughts, erased.

Fwoosh!

“I-I did it… kuhk!”

One of them managed to graze my arm or leg with a blade.

But that moment marked the end of his life.

“A-A demon!”

Ten died, then twenty, then thirty.

The Blood Flow Sword Squad may have once been feared as demons by others.

But now it was their turn to utter that word to their enemy.

“…Are they not coming anymore?”

When the number of visible survivors in front of me dropped below five—

Only then did the remaining ones start to flee.

My gaze fixed immediately on the one who ran first—the unit vice-leader.

“Even if I let the others go, you—I’ll kill you for sure.”

While I fought, the others had thoroughly blocked all escape routes.

Not a single one of them would leave this place alive.

“S-Spare me…!”

“You’re the so-called vice-leader, and that’s what you say after sacrificing all your subordinates?”

I thrust my sword into the back of the fleeing unit leader.

* * *

Ma Chulsoo swallowed hard as he stared at Jin Yeomyung’s back ahead of him.

‘Is that guy really the same age as me?’

The dark, sticky blood staining the white martial robe wasn’t only his.

Most of it belonged to the main force of the Blood Flow Sword Squad, whom he had cut down.

‘I definitely gave up on surviving back then.’

He could admit that the juniors from the Thousand-Day Pass were stronger than expected, but they couldn’t compare to real sword demons who had seen countless real battles.

So when Jin Yeomyung single-handedly wiped out the Blood Flow Sword Squad—

Ma Chulsoo had been so shocked that he couldn’t even speak.

To the point where…

‘Is he really an old master wearing Jin Yeomyung’s skin?’

That kind of thought had even crossed his mind.

His unshaken composure, even amid a field of swords shimmering with sword qi.

No—he didn’t just withstand them. He crushed them all with overwhelming divine might. It was almost awe-inspiring.

Plenty of internal energy? Fast movements?

‘No, it’s beyond that!’

It wasn’t just a matter of having more. His level was fundamentally different.

As if this kind of bloodbath was something he had gone through many times before. That kind of courage—

And the flawless precision of his movements, cleanly severing the enemy’s lifeline even amidst a storm of sword qi.

‘Could I even follow that kind of movement?’

When rumors spread that he’d defeated the Colorful Flower Lord, a famed expert said to have reached the Extreme Demon Realm, he thought it was nonsense and ignored them.

But now, he had a hunch that those rumors might not have been exaggerated.

‘As much as I hate to admit it… his movements reminded me of the Clan Leader.’

This wasn’t just a matter of martial attainment.

It was clear—if you wanted to stand above others, you had to be this overwhelming. Jin Yeomyung had just shattered common sense before their very eyes.

Recalling that image, Ma Chulsoo had to do everything he could to suppress the awe rising within him.

‘Why is there such a difference?’

At this moment, even his worries about his younger brother Ma Jinyoon or the issue of clan succession couldn’t enter his mind.

Only the afterimage of Jin Yeomyung’s sword, dancing brilliantly as it cut through the Blood Flow Sword Squad, remained burned into his memory.

‘I worked harder than anyone. I had talent, too. But even so… I don’t think I could ever catch up to him.’

Was it because the difference was just that overwhelming?

Strangely, he didn’t feel envy or jealousy.

Only curiosity—how had that once-idle noble from the Jin Clan changed so drastically?

With that thought, Ma Chulsoo opened his mouth without realizing it.

“Jin Yeomyung.”

“What?”

The man walking ahead answered brusquely.

“Ma Chulsoo, don’t ask why I’m heading for the outskirts instead of going straight to the Ma Clan’s main house. If I were Ma Jinyoon, I’d definitely—”

Ma Chulsoo hurriedly shook his head.

“No, no, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

Ma Chulsoo asked bluntly.

“How did you become that strong?”

“……”

“Your strength now can’t be measured by normal standards. How… how can someone become as strong as you?”

‘Mmm…’

When I heard Ma Chulsoo’s question, the first emotion I felt was awkwardness.

‘How am I supposed to explain this?’

Honestly, I could’ve just ignored him and moved on.

But surprisingly, I had a soft spot for people who showed genuine passion and desperation.

Because I, too, had once been desperate—driven by an obsession to reach a certain point.

So, partly to make Ma Chulsoo owe me, I answered him honestly.

“To be frank, I had a fortuitous encounter.”

“A fortuitous encounter, you say?”

“Yeah. Both I and Lady Baek over there obtained a miraculous opportunity that shouldn’t exist under normal circumstances, which allowed us to break through to Peak Master Level.”

“P-Peak Master Level…!”

Ma Chulsoo let out a deep groan.

To someone who hadn’t even fully reached the Master Level, that stage—one that only the chosen few with talent and grueling effort could achieve—must have felt infinitely distant.

But.

I gave a faint smile and patted his shoulder.

“Don’t be in such a rush.”

“W-What?”

“Right now, it might seem like we’re far ahead. But with your talent and effort, you’ll catch up before long.”

“…Are you serious?”

Telling that to a direct descendant of the Ma Clan might’ve sounded absurd.

But when I was mocked in my past life as the weakest among the leadership—

Ma Chulsoo had already reached Extreme Mastery in his late thirties and proudly held the position of Elder in the Cult.

‘I actually regretted not trying harder back then.’

A future that no longer existed—now just a faint memory.

“How can you be so sure? You… overpowered me so easily. Back then, and even now.”

Seemed like the memory of getting hit in the groin was still embarrassing; his face flushed red.

Watching that, I gave him a serious piece of advice.

“One Thought.”

“One Thought?”

I stopped climbing the mountain and lightly perched myself on a rock.

This wasn’t the kind of conversation to have while moving.

“Hm, how should I put this?”

My eyes met Ma Chulsoo’s.

“After living through enough, I came to realize one thing.”

“What is it?”

“No matter the era, those who reach the pinnacle all share one thing: a madness driven by a singular purpose, a One Thought.”

From what I could tell, Ma Chulsoo had that One Thought in his past life.

“…How long have you even lived to say that?”

Baek Sang-ah, who had walked up beside us, murmured a quiet jab.

But I ignored her gently and continued speaking.

“Only a small number of people are born with talent. But those who actually realize their talent? They’re even fewer. I’ve seen plenty of geniuses, but the ones who push their gifts to the extreme—even in an era overflowing with talent—can be counted on one hand.”

Ma Chulsoo in my past life had been one of those few.

“T-Then… I have one more question!”

“What now?”

“What’s your One Thought?”

“My One Thought?”

“Yeah. Or more precisely… the motive behind your One Thought. From what I’ve seen, you’re not someone who pursues martial perfection like a monk. Yet you exhibit the same kind of unwavering will. That kind of resolve doesn’t exist without an overwhelming motivation.”

“……”

“……!”

Ma Chulsoo had struck right at the core of who I was.

As expected of someone who would one day become head of the Ma Clan—even if he was still immature, his instincts were sharp.

He swallowed nervously and cautiously asked,

“There’s some kind of principle behind your obsession. I want to know what it is.”

I responded quietly.

“…Why do you want to know?”

“You stood before a swarm of the Blood Flow Sword Squad and swung your sword without a hint of hesitation. Honestly, even if I reached Peak Master Level, I’m not sure I could’ve shown such resolve.”

He admitted his own shortcomings with composure.

“The you I knew just a few years ago… you weren’t like this at all.”

“True.”

I agreed readily.

“Telling this to a Jin Clan member might sound strange coming from someone of the Ma Clan… but I want that unwavering mental strength you showed.”

Not just Ma Chulsoo—even others nearby were now looking at me.

“Please, tell me your secret.”

I hesitated.

Even though I had already answered, Ma Chulsoo was asking again, with genuine sincerity.

So I reminded him once more.

“You made a promise with me, didn’t you? My goal is just one thing.”

“Your goal… don’t tell me?!”

Ma Chulsoo’s eyes widened as he realized something.

“The source of your mental strength and composure—is it really because of the Young Cult Leader?”

“That’s right.”

“W-Why?”

I answered with a meaningful smile.

“Because I like her. I want things to go well for us.”

A ridiculously absurd, yet incredibly simple answer.

“Is that seriously it?”

“Yeah, that’s all.”

The shock must’ve been immense—Ma Chulsoo just stared at me blankly for a while.

Then suddenly, he pointed at me and shouted,

“You’re more insane than anyone I’ve ever met!”

For some reason, a few people around us nodded in agreement with him.

“Hey, Ma Chulsoo.”

I looked at him with pity in my eyes—poor soul, not knowing the greatness of love.

“Do you have someone you’re planning to spend your future with?”

I expected a ‘no’ in response.

“I do. A woman I’ve been engaged to since childhood.”

Oh, really?

I was suddenly hit with the urge to punch him in the jaw.

“W-Why are you radiating killing intent all of a sudden? And what’s with that lady over there?!”

Baek Sang-ah, too, seemed to be sending killing intent toward Ma Chulsoo for some reason.

Anyway.

“Hm. But you’ve never loved her so much that you could give her everything, right?”

“Of course I have! Why do you ask?”

As expected, he gave the textbook answer.

Truthfully, his response was a reasonable one. Mine was the irrational one.

He was the heir of a great clan.

Naturally, he was bound for a political marriage that benefited the family more than love.

“That’s the difference between you and me.”

“W-What nonsense!”

Ma Chulsoo was furious at the idea that such a thing could make a difference.

But I wasn’t talking about romantic feelings.

“Your One Thought is probably to become head of the Blood Dragon Demonic Clan.”

“…That’s right.”

“To achieve that, would you be willing to kill your brother, use your younger sibling, and turn the entire Cult against you?”

Ma Chulsoo’s presence faltered, and his expression turned cold.

“Jin Yeomyung… you don’t mean—”

“I could do all of that.”

I could still see it in my mind—

Cheon Yura, dying, pierced by countless blades.

And me, embracing her as we faced the end together beneath the charred rafters of the Heavenly Demon Hall.

Even without that tragic ending, I would have fulfilled my vow from my past life—destroy the Heaven-Defying Society, make all enemies of Cheon Yura kneel, and build an era of peace.

“Could you do the same, Ma Chulsoo?”

“……”

“Could you, with One Thought, pursue your goal of becoming clan leader—no matter what the situation—without hesitation?”

Ma Chulsoo said nothing.

“You’d better have your answer ready before you face Ma Jinyoon. If you keep hesitating…”

I casually flung my sword into a thicket.

“Kuhk!”

“Even if I help you, you won’t reach the end of this path.”

As soon as I finished speaking, shouts erupted in the distance.

“We’ve been found!”

“Deploy the White Horse Exorcising Formation!”

Suddenly, dozens of masked figures emerged, clad in robes blending crimson and white.

Ma Chulsoo screamed as he recognized them.

“The White Horse Sword Squad! It’s them this time?!”

They were probably another elite unit directly under the Ma Clan.

Seemed a bit more skilled than those Blood Flow Sword Squad goons we saw before.

“Hm, Ma Chulsoo. Luck’s still on your side, it seems.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I smirked as I looked at the masked figures surrounding us.

“If I were Ma Jeongcheon, I wouldn’t be sending people in these half-hearted trickles. He’d have sent elders and every elite unit he had to make sure you died.”

“…!”

“But it seems none of the Ma Clan elders are here.”

I turned to Baek Sang-ah, who had an inexplicably annoyed expression.

“Lady Baek, I’m afraid I’ll need your help this time.”

“…You’re really not my type.”

She stood up, pouting as if something had annoyed her.

I was slightly thrown off.

“Is something… bothering you?”

“Forget it!”

She shouted and drew her twin blades.

Then she charged straight toward the White Horse Sword Squad, who were setting up their formation.

“Die!”

“W-What’s with this crazy bitch?!”

The squad members panicked.

But not as much as I did.

Even if she had reached Peak Master Level, rushing into that many enemies head-on wouldn’t be sustainable for long—even for her.

“D-Did I say something to upset you?”

“……”

Ma Chulsoo, watching me with a strange expression, suddenly patted my shoulder.

“Hey, Jin Yeomyung.”

For some reason, he looked a little pitiful.

“I get what you were trying to say.”

“…What’s with that look?”

“But I don’t think you’re in any position to lecture me about romance.”

“W-What did you say!?”

That was possibly the single greatest insult I’d ever received.

Ma Chulsoo snorted and shook his head.

“Well, seeing you like this, I doubt your eyes will ever wander elsewhere… I almost feel sorry for you.”

S-Sorry?! For who?!

Just as I was about to yell at Ma Chulsoo—

He let out a lion’s roar and charged toward the White Horse Sword Squad.

“Minions of Ma Jeongcheon! Ma Chulsoo is right here!”

“Hey, you bastard! What did you just say?!”

Furious, I dashed in after him.

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